The Chrysler 300 is the Q-ship of the SRT8 line in the same way a flamethrower is the stealthy alternative to a bazooka. There is substantially more style to the standard car's swagger, despite the absence of significant exterior modification during the SRT8 transformation. The 300 simply receives a tastefully appointed dark grille and muted gray chrome wheels.

Underneath the blend of distinctly American and (borrowed) Bentley cues lies a surprising and immensely gratifying machine. At 4.5 seconds to 60 mph, and 13.0 seconds to the quarter mile, the Chrysler will show its taillights to a supercharged Audi A7 and a twin-turbo BMW 550i. While losing, they'll also be forced to listen to the fantastic bellow emerging from the single-cam 6.4-liter V-8 as it grunts outs 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. (Inexplicably, the 300 SRT8 is two-tenths slower in a straight line than the identically equipped Charger SRT8).

So long as it has the larger Pirelli PZeros the last A7 we tested wore, that Audi will pull away from the 300 around our figure eight. The 300's 25.8-second figure-eight lap time is a victim of its Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, which are the most aggressive rubber option. Here we have a philosophical dilemma: While grippier, larger tires would certainly make the 300 faster, they may not make it more fun. The SRT team has done a terrific job with the current equipment, making this large sedan a sublime driver's car. You simply don't expect the level of control and communication it provides. Each component relays its intent and needs, and somehow this 4387-pound sedan feels malleable in your hands. Mild understeer is the default response, but the gas pedal acts as a yaw input device. Careful throttle control can induce easy mid-corner corrections. Have a heavy right foot? Slam it down and you can drift until the tires disappear. The eagerness with which the 300 powerslides approaches the space reserved for the M3.

Mid-slide, the 8.4-inch infotainment screen can tell you how many lateral gs the 300 is generating, along with a suite of gauges and readouts. A page of performance timers allow the driver (or willing passengers) to measure the same tests we do, like 0-60 mph and quarter-mile acceleration and 60-0 mph braking. The system also boasts an easy-to-use navigation system by Garmin along with iPod connectivity, controllable by voice or controls on the steering wheel. Optional is a 900-watt, 19-speaker surround-sound system from Harman Kardon.The rest of the interior receives the requisite SRT8 treatment: badges, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with a thick rim, and seats with large bolsters. The SRT buckets look the part, but the side bolstering lacks lateral support and has the tendency to interfere with your elbow during quick steering inputs. Nor is the upper back portion as comfortable as we had hoped. Still, the package looks smashing in the optional Radar Red.

Our biggest complaint falls on the five-speed automatic, with its delayed responses and disappointing shift quality. In its defense, the gearbox does an admirable job of handling 470 lb-ft of torque without imposing a limit in lower gears, but it's in need of an upgrade, which is reportedly in the offing in a year or two. Until then, the 300 SRT8 remains a uniquely American sports-orientated luxury car, a rewarding machine that the Germans should eye carefully. Good thing this Q-ship is hard to miss.

Although most of my driving involves police type vehicles, I have driven all of the srt8 Dodge and Chrysler models, including going to the srt8 school where the instructors are for Richard Petty schoolsI just talked my friend today into purchasing a 300srt8 to me it has superior features, such as great brakes exceptional acceleration. fine handling, to me without spending another 40 to 50 thousand dollars you cant come close to this car.

This is a Fantastic car, but the problem is, it costs too much money to have such an underwhelming interior. I'm happy it has a great technology package though. I have ultrasonic backup, Uconnect (which works really well for hands-free cellular), an Easy to use Navigation system and heated seats. The newer models have a MYGIG radio which works similar to a TOM TOM. It was a little annoying to use, but, it does have HDD storage, USB connection and AUX. Unfortunately, rather than running the wire out the back, they run it in front of you and the look gets sloppy.http://www.floridalemonlawattorneys.com/

There sure are a lot of opinions here from people who have never driven one of these or, in fact *any*, SRT vehicle. I recommend you get behind the wheel of one before running your mouths. I have. My current driver wears SRT badges and I love it so much that, if I have my way, every car I own from here on will too. The guys at SRT are every bit as good as BMW's M Division or AMG...drive one and see.

My grandson bought this car and what a POS! First week he had it the display screen went out and the navigation has never worked correctly. The day he was going to take it to the dealer, the battery was dead and the car had to be towed. 52k and change, and the damn thing sure looks pretty sitting in the driveway. Told him next time to buy a Toyota!

Me too! The Chrysler 300 is better looking imo than the Genesis. I would take the 300 SRT8 over any Hyundai. Per their site, Chrysler is making available 8 spd trannys for the V6 300s. No doubt, they`ll also make available an 8 spd trans for the SRT8 300s. Mate that 392CI 470 HP Hemi with an 8 spd auto trans? WOW!

Nah. I would take the Chrysler of the Hyundai anyday. Chrysler has been doing this for a good long time and they know what there doing. And the quality is better in the chrysler over the genesis. But that's sad how the Chrysler can keep up with cars that cost $10,000-15,000 more. lol. Congratulations.!Oh and at "Bilospeed" - If your a normal driver, your not gonna buy one of these.

Sorry would take a Hyundai Genesis 5.0 rspec any day over this car. Better warranty just as fast and 5grand cheaper. And has better gas milage. Genesis 5.0 $48785 loaded.0 to 60 4.7 quater mile 13.1 ( whats a couple of tenths) Especially to a normal driver!Also remember every grand you fiance is 20 to 30 bucks

Chrysler is working on the tranny. ZF didn't have enough production capability to build the high performance variant to handle the torque of the Hemi engines. The only variant ZF could spit out enough of was just enough for the 3.6L Pentastar. Chrysler is bringing the transmission manufacturing in-house later this year, and should be at full production of all variant but the 4th Qtr of 2012. So we should see 8-speeds in 2013 models.And to those of you who are bashing things like build quality, refinement, technology - please wake up. Go drive one of these. They have just as much tech packed in them as anything else. They have THE BEST stability program available for this kind of car, have all the latest tech gizmos like radar-guided cruise control, auto high-beams and rain sensing wipers. HID headlights that follow your wheels as you turn. Front and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring... The list goes on and on. And quality? They are using the SAME MATERIALS that you find in Ferraris! GTFOYourself!

I'm sure this is a fun car, no doubt. It's fast, looks good and it's cheap(er than ze Germans). Great value overall.That being said, you cannot compare it to a 550i. The 5er has power, comfort and refinement. The 300 has the power, some comfort but lacks refinement.The 5er it's a thoroughbred, sang bleu. The 300 it's a ... fun car.It's not me talking, it's the market.

Still small by traditional U.S. car sizes, it's big by today's downsized vehicles. Enjoy the V8s while ou can...obama's CAFE requirements will soon ban them. I still hope they get rid of the 5 speed...I guess it's going in the 2012 Wrangler.

@tonkatoy,You are correct. The german cars have more technology in them but that does not even add 150 of weight to the vehicle. Please explain why the Twin Turbo BMW 550i weighs 4417 pounds and the Charger weighs 4387.The weight saving aluminum body panels might save 50 pounds (unless it goes beyond, fenders, hood, trunk, etc.) while your various control modules, tech, etc might add 80-100 pounds.So if the Charger weighs 30 pounds less and you add 100 pounds of tech you come out 70 pounds heavier which is not a big deal. Tech does not add much weight! Please remember the Charger would drop 150-170 pounds if Chrysler did not use cast iron blocks. The Charger is also a larger car! I think the whole tech argument is not a very valid argument. The Chargers weight is where it is supposed to be. Another example would be the Ford Taurus at 4100-4300 pounds and its a smaller. The Mercedes S430 weighs 4600-4800 plus pounds with weight savings. Where's the hundreds in tech?

Little does SuperCJ427 know that Chrysler had a "POS" German company donate its RWD architecture for this car to be here in front of his screen. The Mustang doesn't run circles around an M3 unless it is modified. You're in denial.

Nice car., albeit alil slower than anticipated. On the tranny issue could possible be fixed with tune program, the shift tune in my G8 six speed auto , really woke it up! To my brother Jereme S, I told you they didn't have an 8 speed out its still the pos 5 speed like your Charger ;) I think the next move with be a 6 speed auto like GM did..However if you bought this car.get the ecu tune, tranny tune, and YANK torque converter ..12s will be at your door.

Has anybody told Chrysler the days of wretched excess are over? This thing gets 14mpg, weighs in at 4400 (about the weight of the original BMW X5)and still has a 5 speed. Everybody else has pulled big V8's and replaced them with turbocharged 6's and turbocharged downsized V8's. And to the fact that if you lighten the damn car you gain handling AND fuel economy. Instead of blowing money on the SRT Program, they should have done what the Caddy team is doing with the ATS platform.

@tonkatoytruck ... may be when these American cars put the same price tag as German overrated crap does then we should talk. As someone pointed, reliablity of almost all european is at the bottom end and you talk about about how well they built ... oh yes built with no reliability with loads of unnecesary tech thrown at us to pay extra premium that shaves 20 lbs, etc. Its very easy to pin exotic materials into a vehicle and tag 100Gs. They will soon be surpassed. A current gen Mustang with a ancient but very well sorted rear axle kills M3 with so superior tech and costs 20Gs more. Pls give me a break.

I read somewhere that Mopar is planning to release a supercharged kit to add about 100hp to the 6.4L :)I wonder how much it would cost to do a transmission swap and put the 6 speed manual from the challenger in there.

tonkatoy,You're right in regards to technology. German engineering does pass Chrystler by leaps and bounds in thatdepartment, but in terms of reliability, not a chance. As much attention to detail as BMW and Mercedes put into their technology and driving experience, they are and have been near the bottom in terms of reliability. Non profit watch dogs such as Consumer Reports and JP Power and Assoc., consistantly have BMW and Mercedes at the bottom 5, while Infiniti, Acura, and Lexus consistantly can come close to the Germans performance (mostly Infiniti), and still consistantly make the TOP 5 in reliable auto's. The new Fiat inspired Chrystler products have improved dramatically, but the M35H can obtain nearly the same track numbers as the SRT8 300, and yield 32 MPH HWY. The M35H only costs a few thousand more.

DomesticFan,Weight is an issue between American cars and the Germans because the German cars carry a LOT more technology on board yet weigh less. The extra cost for aluminum front fenders, hood, and other weight saving measures are what makes foreign vehicles better. Aerodynamics is another. The Chrysler has a poor drag coeffiecent compared to the Germans. The list could go on and on. That is why German vehicles are so much more expensive. They are just built better with more technology. Don't get me wrong, I think the 300 and Challenger are some of Chrysler's best work as of late and given its price, a great value and a spacious vehicle. But, comparing it to the Germans is a step too far for now.

This car weighs exactly what it is supposed to weigh! 4387 pounds is the norm for this class. People do not understand the engineering that goes into these cars. They are comparing the 300 SRT8 to the Twin Turbo BMW 550i which weighs 4417 pounds. The Chrysler is a bigger car and unlike the BMW does not have an aluminum block. Chrysler has done well with the weight of the LX cars. For another 15k-20k BMW was not able to get the weight out of the car either! Stop brining up the weight issue because it is not one!

I still like the shape of the front and grill of the old 300c better than the new series.Regardless, even the regular 300c is plenty powerful. This indeed is American iron at its best, if you are into that kind of thing. A lot of money and indeed a lot of gas money, for this old fashioned car. It has presence no doubt, and the interior is much improved. I doubt lack of 8 speed really hurts. I mean who cares about gas economy in a car like this.There is a place for this car as 300C. This version may be overkill, as it is going for a very thin slice, that is normally served by the monster Germans in M and AMG.Still nice to have options, and an American version at that for people who like to show off chrome and big showy grills. Must say I love the chrome, not so much the LCD lights I have seen on these.

I've always been a fan of the 300, but couldn't get past the quality of the interior. This new version seems to address that issue pretty well. I was also surprised when I test drove the previous SRT-8 because the engine's power delivery was nothing like the torque-laden American V-8s I remember from my youth. Instead, despite its size, the engine had to have some revs before it made serious power. Seemed somehow out of character with the rest of the car. So, at nearly $50K, I took a pass.Now I drive an '11 Audi S4, and love it. It makes an interesting counterpoint to the SRT-8. Similar acceleration, better handling numbers, quattro for year-round usefulness, but smaller and less roomy, for about the same money. It's all trade-offs, and I'm very pleased with my decision, but I can understand why some would prefer the SRT-8's style and attitude. Well done, Chrysler!